2018 Ford Mustang Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Ford Mustang ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25 and a "Good" verdict. It has 193 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine issues the top problem area at 32% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Mustang years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 193
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2018 Ford Mustang problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine62 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain45 (23%)
- Electrical System32 (17%)
- Other23 (12%)
- Structure & Body23 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (4%)
- Brakes6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
- Steering4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls when shifting into neutral at higher engine speeds, including at highway speeds coming off freeway exits.
- Some engines develop a loud rattle between 2000-2500 rpm under light load, loudest in third gear, tied to reported cylinder damage.
- The transmission can get stuck in gear during hard acceleration, with the clutch failing to disengage and the engine revving on its own.
- The collision avoidance system has triggered hard automatic braking with no vehicle actually in the way.
- Some owners report the rear wheels locking up unexpectedly while driving, causing loss of control.
- The steering has been reported to independently pull to one side at highway speed, leading to a crash into a barrier.
2018 Ford Mustang recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- NHTSA 18V213000Apr 4, 2018Transmission & Powertrain142 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Risk: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
- NHTSA 17V814000Dec 18, 2017Electrical System2,100 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in PARK, the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C21.
2018 Ford Mustang fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford Mustang reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Mustang earns a "Good" verdict relative to other Mustang model years, ranking 16th worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 25.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Mustang?
- Engine complaints lead at 32% of all complaints (62 of 193), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 23% and Electrical System at 17%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Mustang, covering the rearview camera, a 10-speed automatic transmission roll pin, and instrument cluster software tied to the digital cluster. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Mustang compare to other Mustang years?
- The 2018 model has a lower complaint index (25) than years like 2005 (85), 2007 (100), and 2011 (95), but higher than 2019 (20), 2021 (15), and 2023 (0), which earn "Best" verdicts.